The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-12-10
AN ABOMINABLE MAN.

W ny uOnt you SHY something: said Mrs. Jetson, addressing her hus- band who sat with musing gaze fixed upon the fire.
 "I was just thinking" he replied, "ot the somewhat romantic adventure of friend of mine-an adventure stranger than fiction. Some time ago Howell Barnes graduated from a we'll known college and was, the very next day, given the city editorship of a daily paper in small city. He had just taken his seat and had begun to congratulate himself upon the readi- ness with which the door of success opened at his first gentle knock, when tall, graceful young woman entered and asked if he were the city editor.
 "'Yes, at your service Howell re- piled, arising and lowing with col lege- bred courtesy.
 "Thc young woman, without utter ing another word, drew riding whip from under her fur cloak and in a most unmerciful manner began to lash Howell. The poor fellow was so aston ished that he knew not what to do, eX : cept to yell, which he did Justify. When the young woman lett-and Howell declared afterward that he thought it the longest visit that had ever been paid him-the young jour- nalist found that his lace and neck were frightfully cut. AS he was sneaking off to his room, with the col lar of his overcoat pulled up above his ears, the proprietor of the paper said
 "'Ah, MT. Barnes, am glad that you have entered upon your duties in such happy frame of mind. I heard you singing, and while I do not ad- mire operatic music, I-gracious alive, man, what's the matter?'
 "Howell, after giving hurried ac- count of what had befallen him, sought his room. The proprietor, indignant at the outrage, called on the young wo- man, whom he had seen pass down the stairs, and whom he knew to be the teacher of Kindergarten. He found her walking the floor, still in the bright flush of her exercised anger.
 "'Miss Cray said the proprietor, although such proceeding is rather peculiar, have called to demand an explanation
 ".You have called upon the proper person, sir
 "'She may be the proper person in some respects said the proprietor, lowing, but 1 must say that her ac- tion of this morning was most de- cidedly improper. Why did you come to my office and cowhide my city edi- tor, a young man who has never harmed anyone:
 "'Such pitiful defense comes with ludicrous and ill grace in view of the siur which he cast against my lit- tie school. Do you read your own pa- per, sir? Did you see yesterday morn- ing's issue? In it your hireling said that might be an adept at flirting with young men but that l should not be entrusted with the care of chill dren. I am from an old and honored family, sir, and I could not permit such islander to pass without chas- tisement.'
 "The proprietor began to laugh. Why, Miss Cray said he, 'you have made a mistake. I have not seen the item, but the man who wrote it re- signed and the young man V hom you lashed so unmercifully was installed this morning.
 "Miss Gray, doing the most lady, like thing within range of her possi- bilities, burst into tears 'Oh, what a wretch I am ? she exclaimed. Why did I not make sure that he was the slanderer. Poor man, % pale and and-so handsome. How can I ever get forgivenessi I will go to him and beg for his pardon. Iwill1
 "tNot now, Miss Gray. He has gone to his room and is now doubles in the hands of . physician. His neck is badly cut and|